Should Pharmaceutical Companies Use Direct-to-Consumer Advertising?

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 3 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #7,442 in Health, #72,075 overall

Should Pharmaceutical Companies Use Direct-to-Consumer Advertising?

Open a magazine or turn on the TV and it won't be long before you see an advertisement for a prescription medication. These direct to consumer advertisements cut out the doctor who is the one who knows much more about prescriptions and their uses than the consumers. The claims in these commercials are often grand, and the side effects printed too tiny to read, or spoken to fast to understand.

With the costs of medications and healthcare in general being so high, should the pharmaceutical companies be charging so much for meds while putting 4 page ads in Woman's Day magazine? Shouldn't your doctor know the best medication for you given the ailments you describe and display?

What do YOU think? 

Should Pharmaceutical Companies Use Direct-to-Consumer Advertising?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Sure. I don't mind ads for prescription medications.

mercury says:

i think so.it will give lot of advantage to all

Posted May 31, 2008

mercury says:

ya why not afterall itz providing quite a lot information to them..

Posted May 31, 2008

BigGirlBlue says:

I think advertising is ok but it needs to have limits and regulations and be realistic. As well as encourage further discussion with health professionals.

Posted May 24, 2008

No, I don't like the idea of it.

Larry says:

Absolutely not!!! This simply adds to drug costs; creates demand for
something that may not help the person's illness; etc. Let the Doctors
decide what is best.

Posted June 25, 2009

Simmi says:

I think it's imoral and wrong for so many reasons. Most importantly I think people are lead to believe that need this medication, when in fact aches and pains are a part of life, and the side effects they list off are usually worse than the original symptoms. These companies don't care about your health... what profit is there in healthy people? It's all about the money to them ( as if they didn't have enough). I spent 350 dollors on a rash cream, once I got the cream I was afraid to use it becasue in the fine print, it listed off side effects that were far worse than my little rash...including increased risk for Melonoma....WHAT?

Posted October 09, 2008

spirituality says:

I do think it's misleading in many cases.

Posted May 24, 2008

 
 
1 of 1 page
 

Sarafem and Prozac 

Although Sarafem and Prozac are chemically identical, branding has caused two different pills to exist - Prozac which is yellow and green, and Sarafem which is pink and purple. Prozac is used to treat an array of symptoms associated with depression, while Sarafem is used to treat one highly contested and little recognized condition known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Do you think the women who see the commercials and specifically request Sarafem know that it is just repackaged Prozac?

This advertising is to get them to buy Sarafem, not to educate them on PMDD and to ask their doctor for something that would help. Wouldn't that be a better system. Doesn't your doctor know best what you need?

Runtime: 1:55
2136 views
1 Comments:

powered by YouTube

The Influence of Advertisements 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Commercials for Prescription Medications 

Millions of dollars are used on TV and magazine commercials, as well as billboards, radio ads, and other advertising directed toward the end consumers...meanwhile millions of people cannot afford the prescriptions their doctors tell them they need.

YAZ

Runtime: 0:59
14861 views
10 Comments:


Celebrex Ad

Runtime: 2:28
50735 views
10 Comments:


Lamisil Digger

Runtime: 1:00
31202 views
10 Comments:


Claritin (Super Bowl 42 Commercial)

Runtime: 0:18
1432 views
0 Comments:


zoloft commercial

Runtime: 1:00
95201 views
10 Comments:


Mirapex

Runtime: 1:01
10418 views
0 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Comments 

Lensmaster

mulberry wrote...

Sorry, "their ads" is what I meant...

ReplyPosted May 24, 2008

Lensmaster

mulberry wrote...

I think there ads should merely focus on educating consumers about conditions and to discuss treatment with their physician. It requires a license to practice as a physician and they shouldn't try to play that role.

ReplyPosted May 24, 2008